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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrected Jan 6, 1975Official Proceedings Special Meeting of the City Council January b, 1975 Meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m Norberg, Land, Nawrocki°present Roti Call: Logacz, Heintz, Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to name Margo Emerson Secretary Pro-tem for the meeting. Roil Call-All Ayes STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE MEETING Mayor Nawrocki pointed out that this meeting was called for the primary purpose of holding a hearing on the urbanization of Central Avenue from 45th Avenue to 53rd Avenue N.E., as well as consider other items as listed on the agenda. HEARING ON CENTRAL AVENUE City Engineer, George Brown, presented slides on the overhead projector showing the plans for the urbanization work, showing the grading and curb and gutter layout. He showed a strip map indicating how the storm sewer design would lie. He explained that the main changes being done by this urbanization are major changes in the signalization, storm sewer for drainage purposes, grading, curb and gutter, and paving, as well as utility extensions as necessary. Extension of the water main on 53rd Avenue is also planned. He further pointed out plans to eliminate parking in t€~e block between 44th and 45th Avenue, to coincide with no parking between 43rd and 44th Avenues, and the no parking north of 45th Avenue. Mayor Nawrocki questioned whether or not the City gets any kind of credit, or refund, on the existing signals when completely new equipment is installed. He pointed out that many of the signals are new, and the City should not have to pay for the new instaiiations, without any credit being given on the present equipment. A lengthy discussion was held on the signalization. No one from the Highway Department could answer the particular questions related therewith. One gentleman, in particular, questioned the $70,000 figure for the signalization work on 49th Avenue and Central Avenue. He pointed out that the existing signals at this intersection are fairly new, and that they have left turn lanes and signals, and everything that a new installation would have. City Engineer Brown discussed briefly what work would be done on this corner, including changing of underground wiring. He discussed the entire signalization project pointing out that they will all be coordinated by a central controiing system at 45th Avenue. He further stated that this project would involve the State taking aver the maintenance of the signals, rather than the City. The present operation is to bill the maintenance to the City. Mr. E3rown emphasized what an improvement it will be that the City is not responsible for maintenance, other than cleaning, tamping, and pa inking. -2- January 6, 1975 One gentleman, from the Smart Set Beauty Salon just south of 45th Avenue was concerned because No Parking was planned in that block. He pointed out that that is the only parking available to patrons of his business, and taking out the parking would be detrimental. Councilman Land also discussed the plans for no parking in this block, pointing out that the Traffic Commission had reviewed the plans for the urbanization, and that they did not agree with taking out the parking which is presently allowed between 44th and 45th. Discussian was held on the plans for no parking in this block. Various suggestions were made on other alternatives to the No Parking. The gentleman from the Highway Department pointed out that the plan was intended to allow for a third lane, so that a left turn lane could be made on the southbound traffic at 44th Avenue. Other questions and discussion centered around plans for closing any access that is presently available unto Central Avenue. The Highway Department representative stated that all present access would be retained, and cuts across the median, and that no new ones were planned. The cost breakdown on the entire project was presented by City Manager Watson, and City Engineer Brown, and was followed by a lengthy discussion. The total cost of the project including complete revision of the signal system, elimination of ditches, installing drains, and surfacing with concrete curb and gutter is approximately $680,000. The Columbia Heights share of the project would be approximately $240,000. Mr. Watson further explained the Columbia Heights share and how it would be divided. Assessments would bring in approximately $70,000, State Aid share of $110,000, and Storm Sewer share of approximately $60,000. He pointed out that the assessment to the individual properties would probably run $10.00 per front foot. Mayor Nawrocki questioned whether Central Avenue was a Federal Aid Urban Street, and was told that Central Avenue is not eligible for the urban system funds. Mr. Brown further informed him that the only street in the City which is eligible for these funds is 37th Avenue. Lengthy discussion was held on the fact that the designs for the entire urbanization project are not comp eted, and that much work still remains to be done. Councilman Logacz questioned how any estimates of cost could be proposed to hold, when the design is not completed at this time. Mr. Brown stated that there should not be any great deviation, and that the state aid fund wauld be available to pick up any higher costs than the present estimates. This was further discussed. One gentleman from the Highway Department explained the methods for deriving the estimates given on costs, stating how recently these estimates were made . Mayor Nawrocki pointed out that the State Aid funds would be needed elsewhere, possibly on the 5th Street project, and that it was not practical to assume that the extra costs could come from state aid. Councilman Norberg, in particular, spoke in apposition to using January 6, 1975 -3- the State Aid fund for any extra costs, stating that this fund should not be completely depleted on the one project, but should be available for other projects which might come up during the year. Mayor Nawrocki questioned what the timing on the project is. One gentleman from the State Highway Department stated that the bid letting is set for May 23 of 175, and the contractor should be starting by early July, with the construction to be done in the 1875 construction season. Councilman Norberg spoke on the need for a definite plan for financing this project as to what the costs actually will be, where the money will come from, and finding out when the actual payments are to come due. Mayor Nawrocki painted out that on any assessments, a hearing is held to state approximate costs, and not until the work is actually done are the costs made exact, and projections made as to where the actual monies are to come from. Further discussion held on the costs. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz that the hearing be continued to the regular Council meeting on February 10. Roll Call-Ali Ayes Mayor Nawrocki pointed out the need far further information, mare complete planning, and answers to particular questions. He stated that all this should be available at the continued hearing on February )0. Mr. Watson pointed out that the people directly involved with the signalization should be consulted, and hopefully, available at the next meeting to answer questions. Mayor Nawrocki pointed out the following as particuiar questions which were of concern: i. Additional consideration of the possibility of retaining parking between 44th and 45th Avenues. 2. Further detail on what is being done at the various intersections, and 3. Explanation as to what credit is available on the existing semaphores. RECESS WAS CALLED AT 9:40 p.m. MEETING RECONVENED AT g:45 p.m. BID ON NEW DUMP TRUCK Mr. Watson reported that bids had been opened on a new dump truck that afternoon, January 6, at Z:00 p.m, but the Engineering Dept. and Public Works Director requested that any action be delayed until the next meeting to give time to examine the bids and look at the trucks. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz that award of bid on the new dump truck be tabled until the regular meeting on January 13. Roll Call°AII Ayes -4- January 6, 1975 STORM DRAIN EXTENSION BY MINNEAPOLIS ACROSS 37th AUENUE Discussion was held on a letter from Mr. William Ridge, Director of Engineering Operations for the City of Minneapolis, asking for the City of Columbia Heights to concur in plans by the City of Minneapolis to extend a recently completed storm sewer construction an 5th Street from 35th Avenue to 37th Avenue across 37th Avenue to the north side. This would be jacking approximately 120 feet of pipe from the termination at 37th Avenue across 37th Avenue into Columbia Heights. This would facilitate future installation by the City of Columbia Heights of the storm sewer in completing this line in Columbia Heights on 5th Street. The work would be done by Minneapolis. Lengthy discussion was held on this regarding whether concurrence by Columbia Heights would bind them to future financial commitments. City Attorney Kalina pointed out that this would only be a concurrence by a motion and could not bind the City to any financial commitments. Motion by Land, Second by Logacz to allow the City of Minneapolis to extend the 60" storm sewer across 37th Avenue on 5th Street, to the Columbia Heights side of 37th Avenue, subject to scheduling and inspection by the Columbia Heights Engineering Department. Roll Call-All Ayes FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSIONS Mr. Watson informed the Counci 1 that the Fi re Department is holding a meeting on Thursday, January g in respect to changes in the pension program and hopefully, they will have something firm by Friday morning to present to the Council. Mayor Nawrocki called a special informal meeting for Wednesday, January 8 at 8:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering salaries for 1975. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Norberg to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. Roll Cail-All Ayes ~x ~ Bruce G.Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary ro-tem